Army yet to clear Sunil, Rao for Hockey World League

Striker SV Sunil and goalkeeper PT Rao are yet to get clearance from their employer to represent the national team in the Hockey World League Round 2 starting February 18 at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium.

Both Sunil and Rao are from the Services Sports Control Board (SSCB) as they are on the payroll of the Indian Army.

According to a source in Hockey India, the letters seeking permission for both the players to play in the tournament are lying unattended somewhere in the Army Headquarters.

"We have sent letters to the SSCB seeking their clearance just after their selection in the Indian team on February 5. The SSCB, then forwarded the letters to the Army Headquarters, where it is lying pending," the source said.

"I don't know why they are sitting on it as the tournament is just round the corner and it is the players who are suffering because of this uncertainty. They have been selected to play for the national team and not for any professional league," he said.

Rathore, Sodhi to lead India challenge New Delhi: Athens Olympics silver medallist shooter Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore and Ronjan Sodhi will spearhead Indian challenge at the ISSF Shotgun World Cups in Mexico and United Arab Emirates in March and April.

The ISSF Shotgun World Cups will be held at the Mexican resort city of Acapulco from March 15-24 and at Al Ain in United Arab Emirates from April 15-24.

National Rifle Association of India is yet to announce the trap team for the Al Ain World Cup since the selection process is yet to be completed as some of the shooters failed to attend the trials on medical grounds.

Delhi take on J&K in opening one-dayerNew Delhi: Depleted by the absence of Shikhar Dhawan, gearing up for Tests, and Parvinder Awana, who is playing for Board President's XI in a warm-up against Australia, Delhi will face Jammu and Kashmir in their opening game of North Zone one-day league that begins in Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday. Delhi play their game in Bilaspur.

In other games, Himachal face Services at Nadaun while Punjab play Haryana at Dharamsala

"This is a format that Delhi is associated with. But you cannot take any team for granted," said Delhi chief coach Vijay Dahiya. "Awana will be joining us once he gets free from that warm-up."

In DDCA league, Manoj Chauhan's 78 and 1/45 helped Rajnigandha Club beat Telefunken by five wickets in DDCA league. Sunny Singh made 96 for the losers. In another game, Dena Bank beat Rajinder Nagar Colts by seven wickets.